KUALA LUMPUR: The Indonesian foreign labour standoff needs to be resolved as soon as possible to avoid further dispute, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The Prime Minister said he had instructed the Human Resources Ministry and the Home Ministry to settle the matter with Indonesia before it escalates further.
"I do not want this matter to be prolonged, as I am worried it could affect our relationship with Indonesia," said Ismail Sabri to reporters after launching the Home Ownership Programme (Hope) and Karnival Jom Beli Rumah here on Friday (July 15).
Earlier this week, Indonesia said it had temporarily stopped sending its citizens to work in Malaysia, citing a breach in a worker recruitment deal signed between the two countries.
Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Hermono reportedly said the freeze was made after Malaysia's Immigration authorities continued using an online recruitment system for domestic workers that had been linked to allegations of trafficking and forced labour.
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